Looking to start or grow a newsletter? These 5 platforms - Beehiiv, Substack, MailerLite, Ghost, and Mailchimp - offer unique tools and pricing to fit different content goals.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
- Beehiiv: Best for scaling and revenue growth with no cap on subscribers and low fees.
- Substack: Ideal for simplicity and community-building, but takes a 10% revenue cut.
- MailerLite: Great for automation and integrations, but costs rise with larger audiences.
- Ghost: Offers full control and no commission fees, but may require technical skills.
- Mailchimp: Advanced marketing tools and segmentation, though pricing gets steep as you grow.
Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Key Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beehiiv | Growth-focused creators | Analytics, referrals, no revenue fee | Free to $84/month |
| Substack | Independent writers | Easy setup, community tools | Free + 10% revenue fee |
| MailerLite | Small businesses | Automation, 1,000+ integrations | $9-$99/month |
| Ghost | Professional publishers | Full CMS, no commission on revenue | $9-$199/month |
| Mailchimp | Marketing teams | Advanced automation, segmentation | Free to $350/month |
Each platform caters to different needs, so choose based on your goals - whether it’s growing your audience, simplifying workflows, or maximizing revenue.
Best Newsletter Tool 2024
1. Beehiiv Overview
Beehiiv is a newsletter platform crafted specifically for content creators by former members of the Morning Brew growth team. They’ve designed it with creators in mind, offering tools to scale newsletters without unnecessary complications.
What Beehiiv Offers:
- A simple, distraction-free editor for writing
- Detailed analytics to understand audience behavior
- Referral tools to grow your audience organically
- Monetization options that adapt to your needs
- Support for custom domains
- No cap on subscriber numbers
Beehiiv’s pricing is flexible, catering to creators at various stages. It starts with a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers and goes up to $84/month for advanced features. Enterprise solutions are also available for larger publishers. For paid newsletters, Beehiiv only charges the standard Stripe processing fee (2.9% + $0.30), ensuring creators keep more of their earnings.
The platform also includes growth tools inspired by Morning Brew’s success, such as:
- Automated subscriber management
- A detailed analytics dashboard
- Built-in tools for monetization
- A streamlined workflow for publishing content
Beehiiv’s all-in-one design removes the need for juggling multiple tools or integrations, making it a great choice for creators focused on growing their newsletters without getting bogged down by technical hurdles.
While Beehiiv shines in scalability and revenue generation, it’s worth exploring how Substack stacks up for creators prioritizing simplicity and community engagement.
2. Substack Overview
Substack is a platform designed for newsletters, offering a clean and straightforward interface that helps writers focus on creating content and connecting with their audience.
Key Features:
- A distraction-free writing interface
- Tools for engaging with your community
- Built-in podcast publishing
- Payment processing through Stripe
- A basic analytics dashboard
Substack allows writers to get started without any upfront costs. For paid newsletters, the platform takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue, along with Stripe's processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).
One of Substack's standout elements is its focus on fostering interaction through comments and discussions. It also supports multimedia content, letting creators mix written work with podcasts to suit different content approaches.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Limited integration options, primarily relying on Stripe for payments
- The 10% revenue share can reduce earnings as your subscriber base grows
- Analytics are fairly basic compared to more specialized platforms
Substack works best for creators who value community and direct audience interaction over advanced growth features. It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Individual writers and journalists
- Small to medium-sized newsletters
- Creators focused on building strong audience relationships
- Those new to newsletter publishing
While Substack’s simplicity and community-driven tools are ideal for individual creators, platforms like MailerLite may be a better fit for those seeking more advanced features and scalability.
3. MailerLite Overview
MailerLite is an email marketing platform designed to combine powerful tools with a straightforward interface. It's a solid choice for creators looking to grow their audience - if the pricing fits their budget.
Top Features:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor with plenty of templates
- Over 1,000 integration options
- Advanced automation workflows, including auto-resend emails
- Performance tracking with detailed reports
- E-commerce integration options
The platform offers a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers. Paid plans start at $9/month for 500 subscribers and go up to $18/month for access to advanced features.
| Subscriber Count | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 subscribers | $9 |
| 2,500 subscribers | $19 |
| 5,000 subscribers | $39 |
| 10,000 subscribers | $99 |
MailerLite connects seamlessly with popular tools, including:
- E-commerce platforms like WooCommerce
- Design tools such as Canva
- Content management systems like WordPress
Why It Works for Content Creators: The platform's performance reports make it easier to analyze newsletter success and understand audience preferences. Its automation features allow creators to set up advanced email sequences that keep subscribers engaged.
Potential Drawbacks: Pricing increases significantly as subscriber numbers grow. For example, managing 10,000 subscribers costs $99 per month, which might be a challenge for creators on a tight budget.
MailerLite is ideal for:
- Creators who rely on automation to save time
- Newsletter publishers who need a variety of third-party integrations
- Teams that benefit from workflow management tools
- E-commerce-focused creators
While MailerLite offers a great mix of features and ease of use, its pricing may not suit everyone as subscriber lists expand. For creators looking for publishing-focused tools, platforms like Ghost might be a better fit.
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4. Ghost Overview
Ghost is an open-source platform that combines website management with newsletter tools, catering to content creators who want flexibility and control. Its code is publicly accessible, allowing for extensive customization, while still being simple enough for day-to-day use.
Key Features:
- Fully equipped Content Management System (CMS)
- Built-in tools for publishing newsletters
- Native support for paid subscriptions
- Clean, user-friendly design
- Integrated analytics for tracking performance
- Stripe integration for handling payments easily
Ghost stands out with its transparent, no-commission pricing - perfect for creators looking to monetize their newsletters.
| Subscriber Count | Monthly Cost (Ghost Pro) |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 | $9 |
| Up to 25,000 | $99 |
| Up to 100,000 | $199 |
| Custom | Contact Sales |
Integration Options: Ghost's open-source framework allows for seamless integration with various tools via its API. Some examples include:
Why Content Creators Choose Ghost: Ghost provides full control over your platform, setting it apart from competitors like Beehiiv and Substack. It offers a distraction-free writing environment paired with fast, efficient publishing tools.
Best Suited For:
- Independent journalists who value editorial freedom
- Writers focusing on long-form articles
- Creators looking for complete ownership of their platform
- Teams needing collaborative publishing features
Things to Consider: Non-technical users may find customizing Ghost challenging. Additionally, its analytics focus on basic metrics rather than advanced marketing insights.
Ghost shines by balancing ease of use with powerful features. Its open-source model ensures regular updates and improvements. However, if you need advanced marketing tools, platforms like Mailchimp might be a better fit.
5. Mailchimp Overview
Mailchimp is a popular email marketing platform that combines powerful tools with an easy-to-use interface. It’s designed to help content creators manage and grow their audiences effectively.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop editor with customizable templates
- Automation tools and A/B testing for better engagement
- In-depth analytics and audience segmentation
- Integrations with popular platforms like WordPress and Shopify
Pricing Structure:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Subscriber Limit | Features Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 2,000 | Basic templates, forms |
| Essentials | $13 | Up to 50,000 | Custom branding, A/B testing |
| Standard | $20 | Up to 100,000 | Advanced automation, custom domains |
| Premium | $350 | 200,000+ | Advanced segmentation, multivariate testing |
Mailchimp offers pricing options to fit creators at different growth stages, from a free plan for beginners to a $350/month plan for large-scale operations.
Integrations:
Mailchimp connects with tools like WordPress and Shopify, making it easier to manage content and e-commerce in one place. These integrations simplify workflows and help creators focus on their projects.
What Sets It Apart:
Unlike Substack, Mailchimp doesn’t take a cut of your revenue, making it a better choice for creators with larger audiences. Its wide range of templates and automation options also helps save time while maintaining a professional look.
Potential Downsides:
Mailchimp’s pricing can increase significantly as your subscriber list grows. Additionally, some newsletter-specific features may not be as refined as those found in platforms like Substack or Ghost.
Mailchimp is a strong choice for creators looking for advanced tools, detailed analytics, and room to grow. While it offers a lot of flexibility, it’s worth comparing its overall value to other platforms.
Comparison of Pros and Cons
Here’s a breakdown of how the leading newsletter platforms stack up in terms of features, pricing, and who they’re best suited for:
| Platform | Strengths | Limitations | Best For | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beehiiv | • Growth tools, no revenue fees • Cross-promotion features • Analytics dashboard |
• Higher upfront costs • Limited free plan |
Growth-focused creators | $42-$84 |
| Substack | • Easy-to-use interface • Strong community • Audio support |
• 10% revenue fee • Limited analytics |
Independent writers | Free + 10% of revenue |
| MailerLite | • Over 1,000 integrations • E-commerce tools • Automation |
• Costs increase with growth • Basic free plan features |
Small businesses | Scales by size |
| Ghost | • Full CMS functionality • Sleek design • Detailed analytics |
• Requires technical setup • Steep learning curve |
Professional publishers | Custom pricing |
| Mailchimp | • Advanced automation • Rich integrations • Detailed segmentation |
• Complicated pricing • Less newsletter-focused |
Marketing teams | $0-$350 |
Integration and Scalability
When managing complex workflows or scaling up, integration and scalability become crucial. MailerLite’s extensive library of over 1,000 integrations makes it a strong choice for handling intricate workflows. Ghost, on the other hand, offers a combined website and newsletter solution, perfect for creators looking for deep customization.
Cost and Growth Considerations
As your subscriber count grows, pricing can significantly impact your profits. Beehiiv stands out by charging only Stripe's standard processing fees (2.9% + $0.30), making it a budget-friendly option for creators with high earnings. Substack, however, takes a 10% cut of your revenue, which can add up as your newsletter gains traction.
Platform Selection Guide
Each platform caters to different needs:
- Beehiiv: Ideal for creators focused on growth and maximizing revenue.
- Substack: Great for writers who value community engagement.
- MailerLite: Perfect for businesses needing a wide range of integrations.
- Ghost: Best for professional publishers who want full control.
- Mailchimp: Suited for teams requiring advanced marketing automation.
Your choice should align with your goals - whether that’s scaling up, building a community, or leveraging marketing tools. Think about your long-term plans and technical needs before deciding.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right newsletter platform can shape your content strategy and earning potential. Each platform caters to different needs for creators in 2024.
Substack is popular for its ease of use and focus on community. The 10% revenue fee might seem high, but with no upfront costs, it's a great option for creators just starting out.
Beehiiv stands out with tools designed for growth and low fees. Starting at $42 per month (billed annually) and only requiring standard Stripe processing fees for paid newsletters, it's a strong choice for creators already generating steady income.
For creators who prioritize marketing flexibility, MailerLite offers excellent third-party integrations. Its pay-as-you-grow pricing ensures fair costs for smaller audiences, though expenses can climb significantly as your subscriber list grows.
When choosing a platform, consider these key factors:
- Technical Expertise: If you're tech-savvy and want full control, Ghost is a solid option. For a simpler experience, Substack or MailerLite are better suited.
- Monetization Plans: If you're ready to start earning right away, Beehiiv's growth tools and low fees make it a smart pick.
- Integration Needs: For advanced marketing setups, MailerLite offers over 1,000 integrations, making it the most flexible.
Each platform brings unique benefits tailored to different stages of a creator's journey, from Substack's straightforward approach to Ghost's customization. While switching platforms is possible, it becomes more challenging as your subscriber base grows. That's why it's crucial to align your choice with your goals early on.
